Do you know you can still get a sunburn in the winter? We recommend you wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher to protect your skin even in Canada’s winter.
If you have unfortunately got sun damage, we are proud to provide a wide variety of treatments, suitable for all skin types, colors and ages. Each is tailored to treat your specific skin conditions:
In today’s cosmetics industry, doctors and companies often use before-after pictures to present the performance of their products or services. Though most of these before-after pictures are real, there are always those who unethically use misleading or false photos to make claims. Fortunately, with some basic knowledge of digital image editing, most of these false images are not difficult to spot.
Here are some tips to help you determine whether or not the before-after pictures you find online are genuine:
1. Amount of pictures – A website which provides a large number of before-after photos is more likely to be trustworthy because it is very difficult, risky and expensive for anybody to make a large number of fake pictures.
2. Copyright – Pictures with watermarks or are otherwise copyrighted by the company showing them are more trustworthy than those without any form of protection claims.
3. Different persons – One common method to make fake before-after pictures is by using different persons in the “before” photos than in the “after” photos. It is easy to exploit differences in skin tone, skin texture and bone structure, etc. Please pay attention to any inconsistencies between the before and after pictures.
4. Posture – Another way to make misleading pictures is to use the same person in different postures. For example, a woman who shows her loose and sagging stomach when standing in the “before” picture may have a firm and smooth stomach when lying flat in the “after” picture.
5. Lighting – Differences in lighting can often be exploited to exaggerate differences between the “before” pictures and the “after” pictures. A good set of before-after photos should present the person in the same or similar lighting conditions in both photos.
6. Post-processing – The most common method to produce false before-after pictures is through digital editing with a program like Photoshop. One common sign of image manipulation is if the “before” and “after” photos are impossibly similar – for example, if the person has the exact same outfit, expression, posture, and the clothes have the same wrinkles, etc. In this case, it is very likely that both images are just different versions of the same photograph. Some other signs of image manipulation include perfect curves, overly smooth skin, and unclear edges.
We hope these tips will give you more confidence when judging the truthfulness of before-after pictures online. When in doubt, remember that before-after pictures are not the only way to evaluate a doctor or company.
Check out these application techniques from our favourite full-coverage camouflage & concealer as featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Beauty Next Magazine!
1. Make sure your skin is well cleansed and apply a moisturizing skin primer. We recommend PCA Skin Hydrating Serum.
2. Once your skin care products are absorbed, you can apply Lycogel Breathable concealer using a sponge and small amount of product on those areas that require a little extra coverage such as scars or blemishes. Make sure to blend thoroughly.
3. Next, start applying a thin layer of Lycogel Breathable Camouflage on one side of the face blending well as you go along. One pump should provide enough product for each side of the face.
4. For fuller coverage, a second layer of Camouflage can be applied using a light patting motion, but only on areas where extra coverage is needed.
Remember less is more! Use very little product on a sponge and apply in light layers – this will achieve a much more effective coverage than slathering on a heavy layer.
Nail fungus is unsightly and embarrassing, but most of all, it can be extremely painful. At the first sign of an infection, it’s important to have it treated quickly and correctly. If left untreated, you run the risk of a repeated nail infections—nobody wants that.
With that said, here are some of the most common mistakes that people make when treating nail fungus. Most of these are the result of misinformation and do-it-yourself techniques, avoiding them at all costs will be your best bet for clean, healthy, pain-free fingers and toes.
Unfortunately, nail fungus isn’t always able to be diagnosed by the laymen. There are a number of other afflictions that can resemble fungal nail, but actually are other conditions. For example, nail hardening—one of the key symptoms of nail fungus—can occur from a number of other factors such as excessive rubbing in tight shoes, pressure from other toes, trauma to nails and an immune disease. Be certain that you have a fungal infection before beginning treatment to avoid any mistakes that could result in unnecessary pain and damage to the nail.
There are many different ways to treat fungal nail infections and not all of them are appropriate for each condition. That is to say, while a topical fungal nail treatment might work on a mild case, it won’t work on an advanced case. In fact, it could make the infection worse. Always be certain of the severity of your nail fungus before beginning treatments so that you can choose the most effective option, be it oral medication, topical lotions, or laser treatment.
One of the worst parts about fungal nail infections is that even with the right treatment; it can take a very long time to fully heal. Some people get over-anxious assuming that the healing process should be quicker. This could lead to seeking alternative options that would cancel out your treatments. On the other hand, some results seem quick on the surface so the patient discontinues the treatment, only to find that the nail fungus returns a few weeks later. Remember—always finish the full treatment cycle even if you think the nail fungus is gone. Also, understand that new nails take 9 to 12 months to grow out and that your current nail will never improve—a new one needs to grow in. This happens at a rate of 1 mm per month. Your best approach is to keep a positive outlook and have realistic expectations.
Just like mold in a house, where fungus grows once, it will again if left unchecked. You can’t just treat current nail fungus; you have to prevent it from reoccurring in the future. Establish proactive hygiene habits such as sterilizing your shoes, socks and bathroom on a regular basis, wear slippers in the shower, keep floors and carpets clean and use an anti-fungal cream. Don’t leave anything to chance.
The bottom line is that there are many mistakes you can make when it comes to treating nail fungus, but only one road to success. Consult a foot specialist to make sure that you’re on the right path to treating your nail fungus and live pain and embarrassment free from today forward.
Acne can appear without notice on your face or other areas of your body. The sudden flare up may leave you wondering – what caused this unwelcomed breakout? The truth is there are many sneaky culprits in our daily life that can contribute to acne, here’s what you need to know:
Acne caused by topical creams, lotions, sunscreen, and hair and make-up products is known as acne cosmetica. Cosmetic products with talc powder or mineral oil tend to clog the pores and cause acne breakouts. Always go for oil-free and non-comedogenic products. It is also very important to carefully remove any makeup and wash away heavy hair care products before heading to bed.
Avoid medications that have steroids, cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone, also watch out for those that contain lithium, lithium chloride, and any forms of iodine. Check with your doctor and make sure he’s aware of your conditions and concerns.
Your cell phone accumulates all kinds of dirt and bacteria throughout the day. When your phone rubs on your skin, the bacteria and friction can aggravate your skin and lead to an acne breakout. Clean your cell phone with alcohol or Clorox a few times a week and if you’re planning on a long chit chat, consider using an earpiece.
Dandruff blizzard? Not fun, dead skin often causes pimples in the scalp. Wash hair with anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner and avoid rinsing hair with very hot water.
Communal yoga mats gather dirt and bacteria after being frequently used by people in the yoga studio. When you drip with sweat and rub your face on the mat, the bacteria there may get in contact with your face, clog your pores, and eventually form acne. Always place a clean towel on the mat during your workout, even if you’re using your personal yoga mat.
Dairy products are said to be one of the leading causes of breakouts. If you are prone to acne you should decrease the intake of dairy products such as milk, ice cream, butter and cheeses that are high in fat.
Studies show that stress raises the level of the hormone cortisol, which increases oil production, and leads to bouts of acne or aggravates existing acne. Research also found that college students experience breakouts the most during their exams, when they usually feel most stressed.
To deflate stress, make sure to sleep well, exercise regularly, and allow yourself time to relax or to do something that you enjoy each day.
There are so many other factors that can also contribute to acne outbreaks, for example, many people experience acne as a result of pregnancy or weight gain. Understanding the various causes can help you get to the root of your acne to prevent and control breakouts, or clear away the condition completely with the appropriate treatments or skin care products.